Children's Picture Books with Muslim Characters

This list of children's picture books features Muslim central characters in everyday situations, experiencing joy in their identities and dreaming about their futures.

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Books about the Head Scarf

Under My Hijab by Hena Khan. What a delightful book filled with strong female role models! A girl narrates her observations of how six women in her life wear (or don't wear) the hijab. The women are shown in a variety of occupations both at work and at home. At the end of the book, the narrator tries on her own hijab and looks forward to her future and how and when she will wear the hijab.

Mommy's Khimar by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow. A young girl admires the scarves her mother wears. She takes joy in looking through the closet, dancing with them, trying them on and imagining the possibilities of when she will wear her own. No matter what the reader's background, every child will see themselves in the young narrator as she celebrates the khimar and the loving relationship she has with her mother.

Deep in the Sahara by Kelly Cunnane. I love the wonderful, vibrant illustrations in this book about a Mauritanian girl who envies the malafa worn by the women around her. She longs for the day that she, too, can wear the colorful garment. She wonders about how the malafa will make her feel—will it make her feel beautiful or mysterious? Finally, when she understand the malafa's true purpose is one connected to faith, her mother lets her don the malafa.

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Picture Books with Muslim Families

Amira's Picture Day by by Reem Faruqi, illustrated by Fahmida Azim. Amira is so excited for the holiday of Eid. She has a wonderful new outfit, and glorious henna patterns on her hands. But when she realized she will miss picture day at school in order to attend Eid celebrations, she is upset. Fortunately, Amira discovers a way to attend Eid with her family, and bring the fun to school just in time for picture day. I love the overall joyful tone of this book and Amira's positive, can-do attitude!

My Grandma and Me by Mina Javaherbin. This is a wonderful picture book that relates a girl's experiences shared with her grandmother in Iran. The girl narrates how her special relationship with her grandparent has given her wonderful memories of their time together, whether in play, religious devotion, or everyday tasks. The setting may be specific to Iran, but the feelings the girl describes are universal.

MORE: Picture Books about grandparents

Big Red Lollipop by Rukhsana Khan. Rubina's sisterly love is tested when her mother insists she take her little sister, Sana, to a birthday party. It's stretched even farther when Sana eats Rubina's lollipop!  Argh! Every kid can relate to that! The picture of sibling rivalry is handled deftly by author Rukhsana Kahn and the story also touches a bit on cultural differences.

Yo Soy Muslim: A Father's Letter to His Daughter by Mark Gonzales. The narrative is written as a letter from a father to his daughter, but it reads like a poem. The father recognizes that his child will have questions about who she is and what she can accomplish. Celebrating their shared faith and culture and language, the father's letter aims to give his daughter confidence and pride in her identity as a Muslim Latina.

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Muslims as Part of a Diverse Community

The Masjid Kamal Loves by Ashley Franklin. This book is so much fun! Written as a cumulative tale like “The House that Jack Built,” Masjid describes the activities and rituals that go into the experience of attending Friday prayer services.

One Green Apple by Eve Bunting. During a class trip to an apple orchard, Farah, a Muslim girl who has not yet learned English, is nervous about her new classmates. In her first person narrative she reveals that she knows there are tensions between her former home and her new country and she is uncertain if her classmates will welcome her. Eventually, however, one other student befriends her and the connection is made. That show of kindness spills over into the rest of the kids.

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Abdul's Story by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow. Any child who has faced a challenge in school while watching their classmates perform a skill with ease will relate to Abdul's story. Abdul loves to tell stories but he struggles with writing. His letters never look the way they are supposed to and it takes so much energy out of him, he feels frustrated. During a class visit, an author shows Abdul his own messy notebook and Abdul tries a new way to turn his own writing, imperfect though it may be, into a story.

King for a Day by Rukhsana Khan. Malik is looking forward to flying his kite during the festival of spring. From his wheelchair on a rooftop, he flies it vigorously, battling the neighborhood bully. After the celebration, his compassion spurs him to help a girl with a kite escape from the same bully.

Lailah's Lunchbox by Reem Faruqi. It is the start of Ramadan and Lailah is finally participating in the daytime fast. Although she is excited that she is old enough to fast, she feels anxious that her new classmates will not understand. She goes to the school library during lunchtime where the librarian helps her express how she feels in a way that she can share with her classmates. Not only is this an excellent book to explain the Ramadan holiday, but since most children feel "different" from the peers at one time or another and the message in Lailah's Lunchbox will be understood by all.

My Name is Bilal by Asma Mobin-Uddin. After someone pulls off his sister's headscarf, Bilal worries that maybe he should hide the fact that he his Muslim from his classmates. His compassionate teacher gives him a book about a brave Muslim named Bilal and Bilal decides to stand up for his sister, earning the respect of his peers.

MORE: Picture books about standing up for others

Concept Books for Preschool with a Muslim Theme

Golden Domes and Silver: A Muslim Book of Colors by Hena Khan. Absolutely gorgeous illustrations take children on a tour of the Muslim world in this celebration of colors. The family depicted in the book appears to live in a Western country, while Islamic items such as the mother's blue hijab, or the father's red prayer mat provide the color inspiration. I like this juxtaposition, which allows children to see different traditions living side by side. A glossary of terms is included.

Crescent Moons and Pointed Minarets: A Muslim Book of Shapes by Hena Khan. Like the companion book (see above), this title uses cultural symbols of Islam to teach kids about shapes and the illustrations are just as gorgeous. I also found it surprisingly peaceful to read!

Muslim Picture Book Biographies and History

Malala's Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai. In her inspiring, autobiographical picture book, Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Malala Yousafzai, describes how, as a child, she wished for a magic pencil, like the one on a Pakistani TV show. She dreamed of how she would use this pencil to help her community. As she grew up, she learned how to use the power of her own voice to stand up for herself and others.

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The World is Not a Rectangle: A Portrait of Architect Zaha Hadid by Jeanette Winter. Born in Iraq, and educated in London, Hadid designed fascinating and artistic buildings around the world. Aas a Muslim woman, the road was not easy and she had to overcome the hurdle of prejudice. This biography is written simply, making it a great choice for the early elementary set. Make sure to look at photographs of Hadid's beautiful buildings, too.

The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq by Jeanette Winter. When war threatens to destroy Alia’s precious library collection, which includes rare editions, she bravely works to move 30,000 volumes to safety. This is a powerful story about courage and determination.

The Grand Mosque of Paris: A Story of How Muslims Rescued Jews During the Holocaust by Karen Gray Ruelle and Deborah Durland Desaix. Children ages 8 and up will be intrigued by this historical account of how a community of Muslims in Paris gave sanctuary to Jews in their mosque under the leadership of Si Kaddour Benghabrit. The Muslims provided passports and a means of escape. In the afterward, the authors note that it was difficult to find many details surrounding the events but that the story is hopeful and further evidence that despite the differences in the people who worship the Abrahamic religions, they are all part of humanity and thus worth saving. The illustrations are fantastic.